Early in the week of February 15, 2015, detectives from District A-1 (Downtown) requested the assistance of the BPD Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in investigating a career criminal and suspect in numerous larcenies and breaks in Downtown Boston, the Back Bay, and surrounding neighborhoods.

Detectives from the SIU set up surveillance on their target, 42-year-old Barry Bartel of Boston, and continued to monitor his movements periodically over the course of two days.

At about 10:10 PM on Wednesday, February 18, 2015, SIU detectives followed Bartel into the Back Bay area. They observed Bartel attempt to gain access to several businesses near Arlington and Newbury Streets before forcibly gaining entry to a business in the area of 17 Arlington Street. Bartel stole clothing merchandise from this store valued at just under $8,000 then fled in a taxi.

The SIU detectives were assisted by uniformed District D-4 (South End) officers, who stopped the taxi and subdued Bartel after a lengthy struggle.

Bartel was arrested and charged with Breaking and Entering to a Building (Nighttime), Willful and Malicious Destruction of Property (Over $250), Larceny Over $250, and Resisting Arrest.